Justin Pope is getting ready for his second season as manager of the Staten Island Yankees.Advance File Photo/Hilton Flores

Field manager Justin Pope says he can’t wait for Monday night, when his Staten Island Yankees open the New York-Penn League season at home against the rival Brooklyn Cyclones.

There’s just something about Opening Night that gets the blood flowing for baseball players and fans alike, even at the entry-level of pro ball, according to the second-year skipper.

Pope, a 33-year-old former first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, has plenty on his plate this weekend, however, as the Baby Bombers hastily assemble in St. George to prepare for the team’s 15th season.

There’s a roster full of farmhands to get acquainted with, for starters, even though some of those faces will be changing as recent draftees continue to be signed, evaluated and assigned to initial teams.

“Oh, definitely, it’s exciting,” said Pope as he prepared to travel Friday night from the parent team’s Tampa, Fla., complex. “It’ll be nice to get up there and get settled in and get the season going.” 

EXPERIENCED PLAYERS 

It will be Pope’s second summer managing the Baby Bombers, who by early indications should be more pro-ready than the younger-than-usual 2012 club that struggled through the 76-game schedule a year ago.

Notre Dame third baseman Eric Jagielo, the first of the New York Yankees’ three first-round picks, won’t be among those players going through Saturday night’s open-to-the-public “Night Under the Lights” workout at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, but odds are the Big East Player of the Year could be arriving soon.

“I saw him for the first time Thursday, batting practice and stuff,” said Pope of the lefty-swinging Jagielo, who signed earlier this week. “He’s good, a first-round pick, so he’s definitely got some potential. It’s going to be fun seeing him develop when and if he does come to us.”

Pope confirmed that Dillon McNamara, a right-handed pitcher from Adelphi University via Moore Catholic, will start the campaign in Staten Island. The 6-foot-5 Graniteville resident was picked by the Yankees in the 27th round after a superb spring as a college closer.

Sacred Heart University shortstop John Murphy, a sixth-round pick, adds a little more local flavor to the roster as a Northeast Conference player quite familiar with the 7,171-seat waterfront ballpark. University of Michigan centerfielder Michael O’Neill, a third-round pick and the nephew of former Yankee great Paul O’Neill, is on the roster along with Georgia Tech outfielder Brandon Thomas, a power-hitting outfielder.

“We have guys in the outfield who are going to be able to track balls down out there,” said Pope.

One of those outfielders will be 21-year-old Yeicok Calderon, a Dominican Republic product who hit eight home runs in 44 games with the Gulf Coast League team last summer, and hit five homers in 43 games despite hitting .189 this spring with Charleston of the South Atlantic League.

“I watched Thomas yesterday during an extended spring training game and he hit a home run to right center in his first at-bat, first swing. He looks like an athlete,” said Pope. “(Calderon) has some big-time power and when he figures it out, I wouldn’t be suprised if he had a heckuva year.” 

TON OF PITCHERS 

It remains to be seen how many college draftees join the Staten Island club, but Pope figures most of the recent signees will be headed north. The parent club dipped into the college ranks for a dozen pitchers from the seventh round (LSU right-hander Nick Rumbelow) through the 24th round, a list that includes Auburn southpaw Conner Kendrick and South Carolina southpaw Tyler Webb in the ninth and 10th rounds, respectively.

“I think a majority of the signed college guys will end up in Staten Island,” said Pope.

“I have one year under my belt, but by no means do I feel experienced at all,” said Pope. “I definitely feel more comfortable managing and being down here at extended spring helps out. I think I have more confidence this year to be able to slow the game down and think ahead better.

“We’re trying to make decisions to help the players be successful, put them in the best situations possible. Now I want to help them win games, of course, but ultimately it’s about player development and helping these guys get better. And what are we doing to help these guys get better so they can move up in the organization?” 

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NOTES: Saturday night’s “Night Under the Lights” is scheduled from 6-10 is open to the public free of charge with concession stands open for food and beverage sales ... Tickets for Monday’s 7 p.m. season opener are available by calling 718-720-9265, visiting siyanks.com or at the balpark box office on Monday ... The Yanks visit Brooklyn on Tuesday night for the Cyclones’ home opener, then return to St. George for the finale of the three-game season-opening series. 